Shirley Darnaby, from Brentwood, inspects one of the 28,551 pennies on a 1996 Geo Metro owned by Gayle Hoover, left, from Wendell, N.C. Gayle and her husband, Mike Morphy, spent two years putting the pennies on; the coins added an extra 190 pounds to the car.

Shirley Darnaby, from Brentwood, inspects one of the 28,551 pennies on a 1996 Geo Metro owned by Gayle Hoover, left, from Wendell, N.C. Gayle and her husband, Mike Morphy, spent two years putting the pennies on; the coins added an extra 190 pounds to the car. (Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo)

The choice of Brian McKnight for headliner at Artscape is not the only poor decision made by the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts ("X-rated songs by Artscape headliner stir controversy," July 19). They also nearly eliminated jazz from the concert line-up, except for trumpeter Dontae Winslow (who at least is a good choice). Over the last few years, jazz has been featured on a dedicated stage at the end of Charles Street. The performances have featured many of Baltimore's stellar jazz musicians and have been well-attended.

Artscape, one of America's largest free celebrations of the arts, is held July 19-21 at Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street, Charles Street, Bolton Hill, and Station North Arts & Entertainment District. The annual festival includes live performances by national artists, visual art exhibits,...

Some hold that cars, in and of themselves, are art. But Artscape demands something more -- and gets it, thanks to its annual Art Car Parade. Here's a sampling of some of the most outlandish cars from this year's Art Car celebration.